Abstract: A method of automatically correcting dust artifact within images acquired by a system including a digital camera includes determining that certain pixels correspond to dust artifact regions within a first digitally-acquired image. The dust artifact regions are associated with one or more extracted parameters relating to a variable optical system of the digital camera when the first image was acquired. An associated statistical dust map is formed including mapped dust regions based on known correspondence between effects on dust artifact data of values of extracted parameters. Pixels corresponding to correlated dust artifact regions within a second image acquired with said digital camera are corrected according to one or more different values of the extracted parameters relating to the variable optical system based on the associated statistical dust map.

Abstract: Since a power supply circuit for a controller (31) and a power supply circuit for a buffer storage unit (32) are independently provided, the power voltage for the buffer storage unit (32) need only be reduced to obtain a corresponding reduction in the amplitude of the signal waveform of digital image data transmitted along an FFC (40), without the operation of the controller (31) being adversely affected. In addition, so long as a coil (47) is located at one position in the internal power supply circuit of a control chip (24), or the external circuit thereof near its power supply circuit, the signal waveform for the digital image data transmitted along the FFC (40) can be attenuated.

Abstract: In processing a digital image to provide a desired grain appearance, a noise table is formed that represents noise magnitude vs. intensity of the image. A plurality of potential image processing paths are provided. Each path has one or more image transforms. The noise table is modified according to the image transforms in the respective image processing paths to provide a plurality of output noise tables. Noise metrics are generated from each of the output noise tables. The noise metrics each represent the appearance of the image processed by the respective image processing path. An input is then accepted designating one of the paths. The image is processed according to the designated image processing path to provide an output image having desired noise.

Abstract: A method for processing an image to increase sharpness of the image without changing hue characteristics. The method includes performing a transformation process to transform an original image signal into CIE XYZ colorimetric channels, forming a luminance channel Y, applying a filter on the luminance channel Y to obtain a processed luminance channel Y?, computing processed colorimetric channels X? and Z? based on the processed luminance channel Y?, and performing an inverse transformation process to transform the processed colorimetric channels X?Y?Z? into a processed image signal.

Abstract: A method of repairing scratches in a digital image includes counting the number of abnormal pixels among neighboring pixels of a selected pixel. The selected pixels that are surrounded by abnormal pixels in a number greater than a predetermined value are designed as particular pixels. An area surrounding each particular pixel is divided into a plurality of blocks. Furthermore, brightness difference between two of the blocks are calculated. Scratch pixels are found from the particular pixels based on brightness difference between blocks. Then, an area surrounded by scratch pixels are subdivided and filled up. Thereby, the scratch pixels can be precisely found and repaired without the need of hardware.

Abstract: A digital camera that automatically corrects dust artifact regions within acquired images by compiling a statistical dust map from multiple images acquired under different image acquisition conditions includes an optical system for acquiring an image including a lens assembly and an aperture stop. An electronic sensor array is disposed approximately at an image focal plane of the optical system for collecting image data according to spectral information associated with multiple pixels that collectively correspond to the image. Digital processing electronics include a processor for converting the image data to digital data and processing the digital data according to programming instructions. A memory has programming instructions stored therein for performing a method of automatic image correction of dust defect regions.

Abstract: An apparatus, method, mobile station and computer program product are provided for filtering noise from a digital signal. In particular, a signal-dependent noise model is used that provides the pointwise (or pixelwise) standard deviation of the temporal noise of raw data outputted from a digital imaging sensor as a function of the image intensity. In addition, unlike conventional noise models, the standard deviation of the noise (?) is a parameterized function, where the parameters are key characteristics of the digital imaging sensor. These parameters may include, for example, the pedestal level (p), the quantum efficiency (q), and the analogue gain (?) associated with the digital imaging sensor.

Abstract: A sampling unit samples plural input signals, and detects a point (change point) at which one of the sampled input signals shows a change in the logic level. In case the logic level after the detection of the change point continues for a predetermined time, the plural sampled data are respectively latched or outputted after the lapse of the predetermined time, and, in any other timing, the sampled data are held, thereby obtaining plural noise-eliminated signals. One of the plural input signals is a clock signal, and, in case of data transmission in synchronization with such clock signal, the transmission is executed with a timing synchronized with the noise-eliminated signal. The predetermined time is selected equal to or less than ¼ of the cycle period of the communication synchronization clock signal.

Abstract: A method of automatically correcting dust artifact regions within images acquired by a digital image acquisition system including a digital camera with a lens assembly includes determining probabilities that certain pixels within multiple digitally-acquired images correspond to one or more dust artifact regions. A statistical dust map is formed including mapped dust artifact regions based on the dust artifact determining. The mapped dust artifact regions are separated into aura regions partially obscured by dust and shadow regions substantially obscured by dust inside the aura regions. Digital data are corrected corresponding to pixels within one or more digitally-acquired images including dust artifact regions separated into aura regions and shadow regions correlated with mapped aura and shadow regions of the statistical dust map.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for classifying an input image as black and white or color is described. The method calculates a first ratio of a color pixel portion to a total pixel portion in the input image. Next, the method calculates a second ratio of the color pixel portion to a combined pixel portion in the input image, where the combined pixel portion comprises the color pixel portion and a dark black and white pixel portion. Finally, the method returns an indication the input image is black and white if the first ratio is less than a first threshold and the second ratio is less than a second threshold.

Abstract: A method of automatically correcting dust artifact regions within images acquired by a system including a digital camera includes digitally-acquiring one or more original images with the digital camera. Probabilities that certain pixels correspond to dust artifact regions within the one or more digitally-acquired images are determined. The dust artifact regions are associated with one or more extracted parameters relating to the optical system when the one or more images were acquired. A statistical dust map is formed including mapped dust regions based on the dust artifact probability determining and associating operations. Pixels corresponding to dust artifact regions within the one or more original images are corrected based on the associated statistical dust map.

Abstract: Restore media, such as a CD, for restoring an information handling system to a manufacture state is automatically created from the manufacture image and descriptive files used to create the manufacture load script. A restore media adapter expands the manufacture image to determine the manufacture state partitions, associates identification information metadata with the image, generates restore media load script to install the image on an information handling system with compatible partitions, and formats the image and load script as virtual restore media, such as a virtual CD. The virtual restore media acts as a master for archiving and communicates through electronic communication, such as a network, to a replicator for mass production of restore media.

Abstract: An image input apparatus includes a show-through elimination part performing show-through elimination on image data read from a front face of an original and image data read from a back face of the original. An image compression part compresses and converts, into codes, the image data of the front face and the back face from which image data show-through is eliminated. The show-through elimination part uses the image data of the back face when performing the show-through elimination on the image data of the front face and uses the image data of the front face when performing the show-through elimination of the image data of the back face.

Abstract: A method and system that detect image pixels of noisy and sharp image edges, and enhance such pixels differently than other pixels, so that noise around the detected pixels is essentially not boosted. A detection process is conducted on a pixel basis, wherein each pixel is checked together with its neighboring pixels inside a rectangular window centered around a selected/current pixel to determine whether the current pixel belongs to a noisy and sharp vertical image edge or a noisy and sharp horizontal image edge. If the current pixel is classified as a regular pixel, image detail enhancement is performed normally at the current pixel location. Otherwise, mean values of pixels in a rectangular window centered with the current pixel are used to calculate the unsharp signal. The unsharp signal is then processed as in the case of the regular pixels to obtain a detail enhanced image.

Abstract: An image data correcting device eliminates a back projection image without eliminating an image corresponding to a low-intensity halftone image. An intensity difference detection part detects an intensity difference between first image data corresponding to a part of a predetermined small area and second image data corresponding to the remaining parts of the predetermined small area. A halftone detection part determining whether the first image data corresponds to a halftone image. An intensity change part changes an intensity of the first image data to a predetermined low intensity, when the intensity difference is equal to or smaller than a first predetermined value and the first image data does not correspond to the halftone image and the intensity of the first image data is equal to or smaller than a second predetermined value.

Abstract: Separations or images relating to film or other fields may be registered using a variety of features, such as, for example: (1) correcting one or more film distortions; (2) automatically determining a transformation to reduce a film distortion; (3) applying multiple criteria of merit to a set of features to determine a set of features to use in determining a transformation; (4) determining transformations for areas in an image or a separation in a radial order; (5) comparing areas in images or separations by weighting feature pixels differently than non-feature pixels; (6) determining distortion values for transformations by applying a partial distortion measure and/or using a spiral search configuration; (7) determining transformations by using different sets of features to determine corresponding transformation parameters in an iterative manner; and (8) applying a feathering technique to neighboring areas within an image or separation.

Abstract: A white background determination section performs a white background determination on the basis of a white threshold calculated by a white threshold calculation section and an area size selected by an area size determination section. A character discrimination section executes character recognition such that a condition for character discrimination is relaxed when the white background determination section determines that a pixel of interest belongs to a white background, and the condition for character discrimination is made stricter in other cases.

Abstract: In a system, such as in a digital copier, for classifying image data derived from an original image, the image data is classified by type. An algorithm is applied to the gray levels of pixels surrounding each pixel of interest. The algorithm determines whether a local maximum or minimum is part of an image of closely-spaced lines.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus implementing systems and techniques for adjusting images. In general, in one implementation, the technique includes: receiving input defining an adjustment to be applied to a differential representation of a source image, calculating the differential representation of the source image, producing a structural representation of the source image, the structural representation corresponding to multiple types of contrast in the source image, modifying the differential representation based on the structural representation and the input defining the adjustment, and generating a modified image from the modified differential representation by solving a Poisson differential equation.

Abstract: A CMOS imager includes an array of active pixel sensors, wherein each pixel is associated with a respective column in the array. The imager also includes multiple circuits for reading out values of pixels from the active sensor array. Each readout circuit can be associated with a respective pair of columns in the array and can include first and second sample-and-hold circuits. The first and second sample-and-hold circuits are associated, respectively, with first and second columns of pixels in the array. Each readout circuit also includes an operational amplifier-based charge sensing circuit that selectively provides an amplified differential output signal based on signals sampled either by the first sample-and-hold circuit or the second sample-and-hold circuit. The readout circuit also has an analog-to-digital converter for converting the differential output to a corresponding digital signal using a successive approximation technique.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus having a visible light source for emitting visible light, an invisible light source for emitting invisible light, an imaging optical system for irradiating a document by these light sources to form optical images of the document, and a CCD for photoelectrically converting the optical images of the document turns on the visible light source to acquire a visible light image signal by the CCD. Then, the apparatus turns on the invisible light source to acquire an invisible light image signal by the CCD. After the invisible light image signal is acquired, the apparatus turns off the invisible light source, and turns on the visible light source regardless of whether to read the document.

Abstract: An object of this invention is to efficiently attain noise removal. In order to achieve the object, the discrete wavelet transforms of an input image are computed to output wavelet coefficients of respective subbands (S301). Appropriate threshold values are respectively set for subbands HL, LH, and HH indicating high-frequency components (S302a, S302b, S302c). The wavelet coefficients of the subbands HL, LH, and HH then undergo threshold value processes using the set threshold values for the respective subbands (S303a, S303b, S303c). Pixels to be processed in a coefficient conversion process are determined based on the threshold value processing results of the respective subbands (S304). The wavelet coefficients of the respective subbands corresponding to the pixels to be processed determined in step S304 undergo coefficient conversion (S305), and the converted transformation coefficients undergo inverse discrete wavelet transformation, thus reconstructing and outputting a noise-removed image (S306).

Abstract: In order to render information contained in images more detectable in the presence of noise, the present invention discloses a system and method to binarize the images in the presence of noise. The method of this invention comprises the steps of applying a dynamic range reducing filter to the digitized image values, obtaining a range reduced image; applying an edge detecting filter to the range reduced image, obtaining a filtered image; and then, adaptively binarizing the digitized image utilizing the corresponding filtered image to obtain an adaptive threshold.

Abstract: A white reference image is inputted to an image sensor with a light source lit up, and white reference data is set every effective photosensor element by inspecting the output signals of the image sensor as to the white reference image (steps S305 and S310). After the input of the white reference image, the light source is extinguished (point e in FIG. 1), a black reference image is inputted to the image sensor (step S315), and black reference data is set every effective photosensor element by inspecting the output signals of the image sensor as to the black reference image (step S320). After the light source is lit up (point f in FIG.

Abstract: In image reading apparatus capable of performing a read-while-feed operation in which an original is read while being fed by an image sensor placed at a fixed position, presence/absence of dust and/or dirt on a platen is detected, and, in a case where dust and/or dirt are detected at all of a plurality of predetermined positions by said detector, the read-while-feed operation is inhibited and the presence of dust and/or dirt is notified to a user. When, removal of dust and/or dirt on the platen is detected in a state that the read-while-feed operation is inhibited, the read-while-feed operation is allowed.

Abstract: The invention naturally enhances the sharpness of an image by performing appropriate sharpness processing. An image processing device receives input original image data, performs sharpness processing, and outputs correction image data. Specifically, the degree of the level change is detected from the original image data, and correction-reference-amount data, which provides a reference to determine the degree of sharpness correction, is determined based on the degree of the detected level change. Meanwhile, the relationship between correction amount by which the sharpness correction is performed and the correction reference amount is defined by a predetermined correction-amount characteristic pattern. The correction-amount calculating device calculates an adequate correction amount in accordance with the correction-amount characteristic pattern, and the sharpness processing means performs sharpness processing on the original image data in accordance with the correction amount.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus for expanding the frequency band of enhancement to increase the effect of improvement of the image quality and realizing enhancement in two dimensions for an image signal by a simple circuit configuration, provided with a vertical high-pass filter, a vertical low-pass filter, a horizontal high-pass filter, and a horizontal low-pass filter as enhancers which extract high frequency components and low frequency components in vertical and horizontal directions, respectively and switches for appropriately selecting a signal of predetermined frequency components in the vertical and horizontal directions to enhance a signal of a predetermined frequency band. Accordingly, two-dimensional filtering is able to be achieved using one-dimensional filters in the vertical and horizontal directions and the enhancement effect can be improved by appropriately selecting the enhancement mode in accordance with the characteristic of the image signal.

Abstract: A digital image acquisition and processing system that automatically corrects dust artifact regions within acquired images by compiling a statistical dust map from multiple images acquired under different image acquisition conditions is provided. The system includes a digital camera and an external processing device. The camera includes an optical system for acquiring an image including a lens assembly and an aperture stop, and an electronic sensor array disposed approximately at an image focal plane of the optical system for collecting image data according to spectral information associated with multiple pixels that collectively correspond to the image. The external processing device couples with the digital camera to receive the image data or converted image data internally processed within the digital camera. The external device includes digital processing electronics including a processor for processing the image data according to programming instructions.

Abstract: The image processing apparatus includes a detection device which detects an improper image portion of image information, a correction device which corrects the improper image portion, a display device which displays an image whose improper image portion has been corrected by the correction device and an instruction device which instructs to re-correct the improper image portion using the image displayed on the display device.

Abstract: Methods and systems for dewarping images allow a user to reduce distortion in scanned images. A scanned image is processed using an optics model and an illumination model, and resampled to reduce distortion. The dewarping may be improved through iterative operations where a model parameter is varied. An optimal image is obtained which corresponds to a maximum metric as a measure of the quality of a resampled image.

Abstract: The edge of an image is extracted, and edge information that includes the grade and the direction of the slope of the edge is obtained. The smoothing strength is calculated using the luminance of a pixel, and filter information is selected from the obtained edge information and the obtained smoothing strength. Then, digital data is smoothed by using the selected filter information. Since the filter information is set in advance, a fast smoothing process is implemented by selecting appropriate filter information. Further, the information for a smoothing range describes an elliptical shape when the slope is large, and the smoothing range is inclined in accordance with the direction of the slope. Therefore, noise near the edge can be thoroughly removed.

Abstract: A CCD photoelectrically converts image information obtained from optically reading an original image, line by line, and outputs an image signal. Several of the photoelectric sensors of a CCD of the CCD portion form an optical black portion. A black shading correcting portion corrects the image signal using a black reference level. The black reference level is obtained from the optical black portion of the CCD for each line during an operation of the reading of the original image. The black reference level used by said black shading correcting portion for each line is obtained using black reference values, each of the black reference values being data of the optical black portion for a respective one of a plurality of lines.

Abstract: A method, system and computer readable medium for implementing and performing a multi-resolution contrast-based dynamic range management algorithm and allowing for the efficient compression of an intensity dynamic range of an input image to a reduced intensity dynamic range of an image display signal. Specifically, the method, system and computer readable medium of the invention comprise decomposing the input image into a plurality of image components, modifying the intensity characteristics of the plurality of image components and reconstructing the plurality of image components into an output image for display on an image display device. In another aspect of the method, system and computer readable medium of the invention, the decomposition of the input image and reconstruction into an output image are performed using a Laplacian pyramid.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an automatic print inspection method in which photographic prints are scanned to obtain digitized images. The scanned digitized image of the photographic print is compared to digital image data which represents the original captured image. The resulting digital correction data indicates whether or not there are defects in the print media or faults in the printer process, including the digitizing steps. Signal processing transformations may be used to decide how to separate media defects from processing faults and how to correct for the latter. The method of the present invention can be used as a final quality check so that any defective prints can be rejected and remade before orders go out to a customer.

Abstract: In a method for improving the quality, particularly the signal-to-noise ratio, of an image, first image data are subjected to a mathematical operation in the position domain that improves the image quality, with picture elements in the environment of the individual picture element, for each individual picture element of the image to be subjected to the mathematical operation are provided with mutually independent, first weighting factors that have a magnitude dependent on the spatial distance of the respective picture element of the environment from the individual picture element, and with which the mathematical operation is implemented for the individual picture element.

Abstract: Disclosed are an image processing apparatus and an image processing method that can decrease image quality deterioration caused by unsuitable image correction processing performed on a pixel in a halftone-dot area due to a misjudgment of an image type, and an image forming apparatus that utilizes the image processing apparatus. A characteristic of a halftone-dot area is judged by, for example, counting the number of isolated pixels detected by an isolated pixel detection filter with a predetermined size. A parameter such as a threshold for the number of inner edge pixels for use in a judgment of an edge area of a character that is present on a halftone-dot area is switched (between thresholds 503 and 504), based on the characteristic of the halftone-dot area.

Abstract: Defects in an image forming system may give rise to visible streaks, or one-dimensional defects in an image that run parallel to the process direction. One known method for compensating for streaks introduces a separate tone reproduction curve for each pixel column in the process direction. A compensation pattern according to this invention has a plurality of halftone regions that are lead by, trained by, and separated by rows of fiducial marks. The fiducial marks allow the printer pixel grid and a scanning pixel grid to be correlated. The gray level in each pixel column of each gray level portion is measured and analyzed to produce a local tone reproduction curve for each pixel column and associated line width. The local tone reproduction curves are then used to compensate for the streak defect when printing.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a repeated sampling method for image scanning. In one or more embodiments, the sampling method may comprise a sample treatment procedure for the data of an image scanning device during the scanning of an image. The method may comprise sampling, sorting, eliminating one or more group-departing values, and getting a mean value, etc. The sampling procedure may involve scanning a single point of the image several times to produce several sets of sampling values. The sorting procedure may involve sorting the several sets of sampling values after being sampled according to their magnitude. The eliminating group-departing values procedure may involve obtaining the relatively larger values and relatively smaller values from the several sets of sampling values after being sorted. The getting mean value procedure may involve obtaining a mean value from the several sets of sampling values.

Abstract: A system and methodology for removing JPEG-compression artifacts from color images, wherein a first-stage examination of the image takes place to determine, in accordance with several approaches, whether artifact removal is appropriate for the image. Following such examination and characterization, when an image is determined to be a candidate for artifact removal, pixel blocks in the image are examined so that they can be characterized as uniform, busy or transitional, and from these characterizations, appropriate filters, or no filter at all, are employed to prepare such pixels for insertion into a final artifact-removed output color image.

Abstract: An image reader reads an image on a sheet document while feeding the sheet document by an automatic document feeder (ADF). A CCD sensor includes first pixel rows and a second pixel row. The first pixel rows read R, G, B color components of a document image while scanning the document in a main scanning direction. The second pixel row is disposed at a predetermined distance in a sub-scanning direction from the first pixel rows. The second pixel row reads one color component of the document image. The image reader uses the CCD sensor to detect noise component on image data read by the first pixel rows or the second pixel row based on each of image data read by the first and second pixel rows and to eliminate the detected noise component.

Abstract: A method and system for processing a distorted digital image B that is a convolution of an undistorted image F and a point spread function. Noise is removed from the image B so as to produce an image B? of reduced noise. The image F is then obtained based upon a calculation involving the image B?.

Abstract: A system and method of removing background noise from a digital image of a scanned document is described. The system and method is a reversible background noise removal technique that allows a user to select whether background noise is removed or not. In addition, since the present invention divides the background noise removal operations into a two phase process, the overall efficiency of the system and method are significantly improved.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of an image capture system having an electronic camera for platenless document imaging. The system comprises: an electronic camera with an electronic detector and a lens with a field of view for imaging on the detector a portion of a document; a support by which the camera can be positioned to view the document; an actuator for moving the camera field of view so that a plurality of overlapping image tiles of a document can be captured at predetermined different locations over the support surface, each image tile having an array of tile data points and being subject to some expected perspective and/or camera distortion relative to the support surface; and a processor by which the plurality of image tiles may be joined into a composite image of the document. The processor includes a memory which stores transform data for each image tile, the transform data relating both to the expected distortion and to the predetermined overlap between image tiles.

Abstract: A method for segmenting a compound document for enhancement during replication of the compound document is provided. The method initiates with filtering data representing a portion of the compound document through a filter associated with a first resolution. Then, the data representing the portion of the compound document is filtered through a filter associated with a second resolution. Next, edges are detected on both, an output of the filter associated with the first resolution and an output of the filter associated with the second resolution. Then, data representing detected edges from both outputs are combined. Next, it is determined whether a pixel corresponding to the data representing the detected edges is over a halftone region. Methods for labeling digital image data and labeling and enhancing documents defined through digital data, as well as associated computer readable medium embodiments are provided.

Abstract: A method for increasing signal to noise ratio is disclosed. The method can automatically detect saturation output voltage of the photosensors via adjusting exposure time or illumination intensity so as to obtain optimum output voltage of the photosensors as well as high signal to noise ratio that can generate high quality images.

Abstract: An annular window-shaped structuring element is provided for image processing to remove speckles from a scanned image. The window-shaped structuring element is composed of two differently sized squares sharing the same geometric center-point. The pixel to be analyzed with the structuring element is at the center-point. The structuring element is used in a method to remove speckles from binary, grayscale, and/or color images by first eroding the image, detecting speckles relative to other pixels in the image, and removing declared speckles. The method may additionally include a halftoning module to protect halftone images.

Abstract: The present invention is in the field of imaging and more specifically image analysis. An object of the invention is to provide for a method which restores a digitized image or a series of digitized images automatically, by eliminating straight or virtually straight scratches in the images. The method of the invention eliminates scratches in still or animated digital images by using the residual image information in the altered areas of the images. This method can be used in the field of the restoration of films and television documents and for retouching and restoring photographic images.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of processing data, which may be pixels (P[i,j]) representing a sequence of pictures, previously encoded and decoded. The method comprises at least in series a first step (ED) of detecting edge pixels within a picture, followed by a subsequent step (TEST) in which a choice is made from the pixels not detected as edges in the previous step, as to whether these pixels are to be filtered or not. Then, the method comprises a filtering step (SAF) which consists in replacing at least a pixel to be filtered with a pixel belonging to a close neighborhood of said pixel, said close neighborhood comprising said pixel and pixels adjacent to said pixel.

Abstract: A method of determining the location of an optical feature in an image projection system, the method comprising: 1) projecting a first image of the feature onto a detector with a lens in a first position; 2) sensing, with the detector, the position of the first image of the feature; 3) projecting a second image of the feature onto a detector with a lens in a second position laterally spaced from the first position; 4) sensing, with the detector, the position of the second image of the feature; and 5) deducing the location of the defect from the difference between the positions sensed in steps 2) and 4).

Abstract: An image processing technique for generating a multi-valued image with fine contours from an input image that is generated by reading, as a multi-valued image, the dotted print contents of printed matter. An image processing apparatus of the present invention generates a contour extracted image by performing the contour extraction process for the input image, and deletes contours from the contour extracted image that satisfy a predetermined condition to generate a partial contour image. Then, the apparatus adds contours to the partial image according to the density distribution of the contour in the partial contour image, and generates a contour added image. By referring to the contour added image, the apparatus superimposes the input image and a smoothed image obtained by performing a smoothing process for the input image to generate a synthesized image.